Splashed across news headlines recently is a report on schools across the nation called Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). School districts in Texas are under an umbrella of accountability and AYP is the federal or national level of accountability for schools.

This year to earn a label called “Meets AYP”, the school campuses AND the districts had to test at least 95 percent of their students and at least 60 percent of the students had to pass the reading/English language arts state exam and at least 50 percent had to pass the mathematics exam. Additionally, high schools or districts had to achieve a graduation rate of 70 percent or better for the Class of 2007. Schools and districts can also meet AYP by demonstrating significant performance improvements. The tests used to determine the federal evaluations are the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), which 90 percent of the students in grades 3 – 8 and 10 take, and three new variations to TAKS that are used for students with disabilities. The new tests caused fewer schools and districts to earn a “Meets AYP” label for 2008.

Students in grades 3 – 8 and 10 are included in the results to determine AYP. The AYP system looks at performance of the following student groups: African American, Hispanic, white economically disadvantaged, special education and limited English proficient.

How did the San Saba ISD and each of the three campuses fair under AYP? We are proud to report that San Saba ISD and all three campuses have for each year this measure has been in place met and again for the 2007 testing year, achieved the “Meets AYP” label. The terms “adequate yearly progress” indicates we are “progressing” toward a goal. The federal goal is that 100 percent of the schools, districts, and students in grades 3 – 8 and 10 will meet APY by the year 2014. The new tests included in the assessment program for Texas will continue to drive up the difficulty for schools in Texas as we all try to continue to meet AYP.

Please do not forget that Friday, October 24th is an early release date for students. Buses will run at 12:45 p.m.

Please remember that our website is the key to keeping up-to-date on school happenings. Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD.

Don’t forget to support your ‘Dillos! See you at Rogan Field! Go Dillos!

If you have any questions about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at :

Leigh Ann Glaze

Superintendent

San Saba ISD

808 West Wallace

San Saba, Texas 76877

325/372-3144 Phone

325/372-5977 FAX

“Accessing and Maximizing Minds”